Sullivan, Clinton and Broadhead Trail 1779

Day 12: September 14th, 2000 Batavia — Ithaca

As the Bob Evans is in walking distance I use this opportunity and have breakfast there. I leave the restaurant a quarter to nine and walk back to the motel. I pack my stuff together and check my supplies. I empty my oil which forces me to visit the local Wal Mart store. My next stop is at the gas station and at half past ten I am eventually on the road.

My route follows mainly the big Highway 5. Therefore I reach the Seneca Lake very early. Also John Sullivan reached this point on his way back. There he separated his troups: Colonel Peter Ganesvoort and 100 men should march further to the east into the Mohawk Valley to destroy all villages up to Albany. Colonel Henry Dearborn and 700 men should follow the west shore of Cayuga Lake while Colonel Walter Butler with 500 men should follow the east shore. The two forces should reunite with Sullivan above Tioga. Colonel William Smith and his men should march along the west shore of Seneca Lake while Sullivan plans to march along the east shore.

I plan to follow first the route of Colonel Henry Dearborn to Ithaca. I have to drive on Highway 119 and 116 to Cayuga Lake. From there I follow Highway 89 to the south along the west shore. Just before I reach Ithaca I visit the Taughannock Falls State Park. I hope the bad weather will stay a bit behind. But everything looks fine and I reach the park early around half past one.

South Rim Trail, Taughannock Falls State Park, NY

A sign shows me the hiking path to Taughannock Falls. From there a hiking path follows the rim around the gorge and at one end a hiking path leads into the gorge. I decide to do the rim hiking first. If the weather stays fine and I have enough time I will also hike into the gorge.

South Rim Trail, Taughannock Falls State Park, NY

As soon as I have hiked a little bit away from the spots you can reach by car there are almost no people around. On my whole hiking along the rim I only meet 3 people. Most of the others don’t know what they miss. I have phantastic views into the gorge to the river from the rim. The steep canyon walls are really impressing.

Gorge Trail, Taughannock Falls State Park, NY

After a bit more than an hour I reach the entry into the gorge. I decide to enter the gorge because the weather is still fine and I am still good in time. I am also able to capture great pictures. The river is low on water, but the scenary is still very interesting. Most of the people park here at the entry of the gorge and hike the wide path into the gorge. Almost noone takes the hike up to the rim to enjoy the great views into the canyon.

Gorge Trail, Taughannock Falls State Park, NY

I am glad that I had the time to hike both paths. Everyone of them has its special views. The highlight along the gorge trail is the waterfall at the end with a little lake in front. I run into a couple from greek at this point and we hike a while back together. They tell me that their daughter also works in the medical business. But when looking at my watch I see that I have to hurry up to reach my car. There still lays a steep incline ahead of me to the parking lot.

North Rim Trail, Taughannock Falls State Park, NY

I say good bye and walk faster. But there are still too many great views where I have to stop and take pictures and video. Unfortunately the clouds are rolling in and I really have to hurry now. Eventually I reach my car around a quarter to five. The remaining drive to Ithaca is way shorter than expected. Also the Super 8 is easy to find.

I check in half past five. After dragging all my stuff to the room I start my search for a nice restaurant in the area. First I follow the main street to the south. I see a nice restaurant on the left, the Manos Ichabod. I drive a little bit further on but there is nothing else which looks inviting. So I turn around and give it a try.

The dinner is good and also the interior is interesting. It looks like a mixture of the 70’s and 80’s with big mirrors. It is pretty cozy. They also have breakfast which I will try tomorrow. Around half past six I drive back to my motel. There might be a hurricane crossing this area tonight. Hopefully not above my place…